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And archaeologists believe the bones could have been on the site long before the building of the current structure began.

The York Archaeological Trust has yet to establish the exact age of the remains but as the resting place has been undisturbed for hundreds of years it is thought it could date at least from the 12th century.

York Minster is the second largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe at 158 metres long with each of its three towers 60 metres high

It is the first time in 40 years that excavation work has been carried out inside the building.

Lead archaeologist Ian Milsted said the dig was a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to learn more about the cathedral’s history.

The last dig took place between 1967 and 1972 while underpinning work was carried out.

The Very Rev Keith Jones, Dean of York, says he hoped the discovery would provide new insights into the earliest years of York Minster’s history.

He said: 'York Minster’s walls have been witness to centuries of human life and I feel sure that archaeologists are likely to encounter even more human burials during their three-week tenure.

Archaeologists have been granted a three-week-long tenure to work on the site before a lift is built into the Minster's undercroft

Rare find: Archaeologists on the dig described it as a 'once in a lifetime ' opportunity to excavate in such a famous historic building

'We would expect to find, when working at York Minster, evidence of previous life all around the place.

'Having found the remains of our forebears, they will be reverently cared for until such time as they can be re-interred.'

Excavation can only take place in exceptional circumstances at the Minster but work on a new undercroft lift has allowed this rare opportunity for archaeologists.

The lift is being created for the spring next year as part of the £10.5million York Minster Revealed project, which is aimed at attracting a wider audience to the cathedral.